Water supplying system for automatic clothes-washing machines



June 1954 A. H. GERHARDT ET AL 2,679,741

WATER SUPPLYING SYSTEM FUR AUTOMATIC CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINES Filed Sept. 14, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f 711/674227 Qndrew H Ger/Lafaym Zd'u/ard Jj rgy June 1, 1954 Filed Sept. 14, 1951 A. H. GERHARDT ETAL 2,679,741 WATER SUPPLYING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w IcZa/ard J frgy Patented June 1, 1954 WAKEERSUBPLXING SYSTEM FOR AUTO- .MATIC..,GLO.THES-WASHI NG vMACHINES Andrew'H. Gerhardt and EdwardJ. Frey, Herrin,

111., assignors "to Borg-Warner Corporation,

Chicago, 3111., .a corporation :ofxIllinois Applicationseptember 14, 19.51, Serial No.1246,'6.02-

(o1. (cs-12) 12 Claims.

This invention relatesgin general, to "laundry equipment and has particular-reference 'to an improved water supplying, system for an automatic clothes washingma'chine.

Otherwise-stated, 'theinstantrinvention is -concerned with awater supplying system'aclapted'for advantageous incorporation ,in' a domestic 'or household washing machine "which'is completely disclosed in our copending. patent application, Serial "Number 24 6,60 1, filed" September" 14;, 19.51, and entitled Washing 1'Machine', and which is completely automatic-in its'operation in the filling, washing, rinsing and water extraction of clothing or other articles toiibe cleansed.

More. specifically stated, this invention, is embodied in awat'er supplying means effective to provide .anaerated waterfall like soft flow of the water into the tub of an automatic "clothes washing machine of the combination washer and extractor type wherein water is centrifugally extracted from the clothes in the sameftub in which they are'washed.

Automatic washing machines in which the water supplying means contemplated by this invention may advantageously "be employed embody the features prevalent in "the general class wherein an oscillatable agitator is, mounted within the basket for performing the washing operation upon the clothes, and wherein the basket in which the. clothes are washed maybe subsequently caused to rotate, at..a;relative1yjhi'g"h rate (600 to 615R. .P. M) .ofrspreed aboutian upright axis, for the purpose of rextractinguthe water from the clothes. ."Machinesofthistype may also be constructed and arranged so as to permit performing a rinsing. operationvupon the clothes as part of a series of sequential operations, which, by way of example, maybeas-follows: First filling the tubwithwatenthen washing the clothes, then performing a water .extracting operation upon the .clothes, then .,performing one or more'rinsing operations upon the clothes, and finally arwater extracting. Operation upon the clothes.

It is the primary purpose o'flsuch apparatus as that to which the present invention pertains to reduce the lotude'nsomenesspf laundry'orcleaning processes and "to-obviate the necessity "of constan'tattentionon thepartof the operator 'to theapparatus in the courseof itsoperation. The machine is entirely automatic to the extent that the operatorxis enabled torsetitheacontrolszthere- .for'to instigatezthe fillingzandwashingoperation, aleavezthe samezand returnatia -llatersperiodiwvith the ,l clothingrnrwthelzarticl'e "ato ibreccleanse'd, com- 5 :pletely washed,.rtrinsed,:aand the water extracted f2 irom the clothesto leave'the same in a semi-dry state.

Accordingly, it "is an important object and accomplishment of the invention to provide 'a novel "water supplying means rparticularly characterized in providinga soft, aerated, waterfall- It is another object and 'accomplishmentgof the invention to provide a "novel automatic .washing machine which is economical '"to manufacture, simple-to operategsubstantially free from noise and vibration and yet'rugged andjreliabl'e in use.

An ancillaryobj ectia'nd accomplishment. of "the invention'is toprovide -a new andtimproved washing machine having-incorporated therein an improved water "supply "means and which is adapted to be economically "manufactured and which is so designed as'to *permitithe manufacture and 'assemblythereof in'accordance with present day *large scale :mass 0 production manufacturing methods: of ;construction and assembly.

The invention .seeks as a final object. and accomplishment, to provide for an automatic washing-machine of "the character indicated, an improved-water supply means iWhiChis particularly-characterized by-adesign arrangement to more advantageously and satisfactorily. perform the functions required of it and adaptedtoproyide a-compact tunit-which will successfully combine "the factors "of "structural simplicity and durability and yet beec'onomica'l tojmanufacture.

Additional obj ects,-'features and advantages of the invention disclosed herein will be apparent to persons-skilled in'the 'art; after the construction and operation are understood from the Within description.

It is ;preferred :to' accomplish the variousobects of thisinvention and "to practicei-the same in substantiallythejmanner ashereinaftermore fully elescrib'ediand-as ,more ;particularly pointed out in the appended-claims;

Embodiments of theinvention arei'illustrated in the accompanyingdrawingsfforminga part hereof and wherein:

Fig. "1 is an "isometric'view'o'f the Washing machine cabinet;

"Fig. 2 is a sectional :view of i the washing machine depicted in'Fig. 1 with .portions thereof shown in elevation-"tomore clearlyfillustrate the construction thereof, and "this view being taken substantiallycn-the plane oftheline 2-.2 in Fig. '1;

Fig. 3 is atop-planwiew'of "the'vvater-supplying'means'embodying the-features of the-present invention;:anol

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional :yiewnofythe 3 water supplying means depicted in Fig. 3 and illustrating the relative disposition of the parts thereof with respect to adjacent structure of the washing machine.

The drawings are to be understood to be more or less of a schematic character for the purpose of illustrating and disclosing a typical or preferred form of the improvements contemplated herein and in the drawings like reference characters identify the same parts in the several views.

Attention is invited to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 and 2, wherein the water supplying means with which the present invention is particularly concerned is designated in its entirety by the numeral I5 and shown incorporated in a washing machine comprising, in general, the component parts assemblies respectively indi cated in their entirety by the letters as follows: A cabinet A exemplifying the external appearance of the automatic filling, washing, rinsing and water extracting machine as shown in Fig. 1 and being hereinafter referred to simply as a washing machine; a basket B of the centrifugal extracting type disposed within the cabinet A; an improved agitator C operatively disposed within the basket B; a transmission D, the housing of which forms a part of and is carried by the basket B for rotation therewith when the basket is rotated for centrifugal water extraction operations and is adapted to impart an oscillatory motion to the agitator C; and a sequential control M as disclosed in a co-pending patent application of Joseph M. Gartner, SerialNumber 262,760, filed December 21, 1951 and entitled Sequential Contro and which is adapted to regulate the operation of the various elements in proper sequence to perform the operations involving filling, washing, rinsing, and water extraction.

Attention is directed to Fig. 1 wherein there is illustrated the cabinet A which houses the entire mechanism and control system therefor and which comprises a cover 2!], a front panel 2 I, side panels respectively indicated at 22 and 23, and a control panel 24 forming a part of and projecting upwardly from the cover as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4.

In Figs. 1 and 2 it can be seen that the cover 20 is provided with a hinged lid 25 to form a closure member for an opening 26 through which clothes or other articles to be cleansed may be introduced to the machine. The hinged lid 25 is so disposed with respect to the opening 26 that it will be flush with the surface of the cover 28 when it is in its closed position. One or more metal straps 2'! pivotally disposed in mountings secured to the under side of the cover 20 serve to provide a hinged mounting for the lid 25 with respect to the cover 20. A depression formed in the surface of the hinged lid 25 provides access to a handgrip 28 disposed at one edge of the lid 25 opposite its hinged mounting.

On the left-hand side of the control panel 24 there is disposed a control switch 30 which provides a means for manually selectively presenting the operation of an automatic temperature control mixing valve (not shown) forming a part of the water supplying means with which the present invention is particularly concerned. The mixing valve may be any one of the many conventional types presently available and which serve to provide for the introduction of cleaning fluids, in this case, water, at a proper temperature to insure proper cleansing of the articles to be laundered.

On the right-hand side of the control panel 24 there is disposed a control knob 33 which provides a means for manually operating the sequential control M. The length of the washing cycle may be predetermined and set within certain limitations by the manual adjustment of the control knob 33 in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter.

It is notable that both the control switch 30 and the control knob 33 are shown as being diuposed on the panel surface 24 so that they provide no obstruction to the operator in the introduction of the articles to be laundered to the machine, or their removal therefrom.

Disposed within the cabinet A is a water tight outer tub designated in its entirety by the numeral 95 (Fig. 2). It can be seen in Fig. 2 that the outer tub 95 comprises a bottom wall 96 and upstanding side walls as at 91 terminating in an open top 98 providing an annular opening, the periphery of which is disposed within the confines of the cabinet top 20 and the peripheral edge of which is provided with an annular shaped seal 99 adapted to engage portions of the inside surface of the cover 20 in order to prevent water from splashing out of the tub 96 and between the outer surface of the tub 95 and the interior of the cabinet A.

Disposed within the tub and arranged for relative rotation therebetween and spaced from the walls 91 of the tub 95, there is provided the combination washing tub and water extracting basket B. As will best be seen in Fig. 2, the combination washing tub and water extracting basket comprises an imperforate bottom wall I00 having an annular offset at If]! projecting inwardly of the tub and terminating in an annular inwardly projecting flange I82, the periphery of which defines a centrally disposed annular opening.

Integrally formed with the cover 20 of the cabinet A and projecting inwardly thereof substantially coaxially with the geometrical axis of rotation of the tub B, there is provided an annular flange H0 adapted to present a relatively smooth surface to define a throat through which the fabrics and other materials to be washed may be introduced to the combination washing tub and water extracting basket B without danger of the fingers of the operator being injured or caught between the adjacent operating parts of the washer.

In order to provide further for the advantageous insertion of the clothes into the combination washing tub and water extracting basket B, there is provided an annular flange l I I defining an annular opening I I2 forming a continuation of the aforementioned throat for the purpose of directing the passage of the clothes or other material to be washed into the combination washing tub and water extracting basket B to form washing actions thereon. It is to be noted that the annular flange III is formed so that portions thereof will project downwardly within the confines of the combination tub and basket B to present an oblique wall H5 and thereafter terminate in an annular flange III; which is formed to define a corrugated-like shape so as to provide between these corrugated formations a series of apertures as at I I8 through which fluid may pass.

Obviously, the flanged throat element I I I may be suitably supported by any convenient means to the peripheral flange I06 of the combination washing tub and water extracting basket B. Moreover. it can be seen that the peripheral flange cxtremelyh the forming ftlrerebetween ta series ot apertu'res :1rta hereinbemrementioned mi through which water may :pass into uter tup :95 as indicated by -the arrows for iet'erition or removal therefrom.

In 'operation, 'Ithe irotation nf the mom P mnaition washing tub a'n'd water ei'itraoting hask'et- B at gh spe'eds duri'r'ig the fieittraction epe'ra'rtion will cause the c cal center-er rotation-and:hy virtue off the inclined:upstahdih annurar wali lot o-f th-ecombination washing tub and water-extracting basket '-B thewatei' willtend tailow hpwardi through rornis osai. It i's i mportaint 'to ehdeistand ccntrudge act'io-n' orthe bashethawinempty-the wa- 'the invention is particularly con'cefnedt -It is to be "understood that cl'tails -of construction of such automatic machines, and/or tli'eir associated parts, may he 'modified to suit particular 1 conditions or to satisfy 5 thedngineefing geniusof 'y'ari'ous co-mpetitive manuract rers,-an-d we "do not-wish to be linrited totl-ie construction of these-elements as-set for-th except where such construction -'partic1ilarly-coneerns the invention contemplated.

Having thus I described, by- -w-a'y -'-of exam pla a possible adaptation er 2 the water upswing-means for an'autoniatic washingma ine andhaving described the genera1 'eri-vrronment surrounding the adaptation, the specific construction and function of the*p'ai'tstiif "said water supplying means when disposed in an automatic-washing machine as 'h'ereiiibefore disclosed, will -'now "be described in detail.

exemplary embodiment "of *the water supplying means "with which "thefinverition is particularly concerned, *is clearly illustrated in Figs. '2, 3 and 4 'df thedrawings.

The cleansing fluid; "in this case, water, is supplied the basket 13 under ordinary city main pressure through -"a conventional temperature control mixing valve -(-not showrr). It will be understood 1 that the ternper-at'ure mix ing valve is adapted to receivehot and-cold ter tl' iroiigh suitable intakes tn'ot and -'-to automatically -C0illrb1 131 18 l'elalfiive amount: 6f each 580 that water "of the desired tem erature masses through a flexible hose (not shown) operatiyely :connected'to the outlet pf the' mixing valve and :the other end-lot whic'hi is connected to a -W8ltel discharge pipe 365 (Fig. 2 disposed within the confines of the "control ;;panel= 24. who :holt and/or mixed water, -:as :the'-case may be, will airmen bevdi'scharged from thei water:dischargeipipe 365 and into our novel 'rcleansing lfluid fiistributing means:'generally'indicatedz-hyithecnumeralil5.

In general, the :iiuidadistributing LIXIGQIIIS :l5

. comprises a =substantial'lyzzcircularrshapedvcap"36 'scription proceeds, "saidrcapfifi'l 'heingzthrea'ded into a conduit dlb adapted to :receivetheiflui'd and forming a part of atransverselyxdisposed con'du'i-t :3'H havingzant opening #12 disposed in close proximity and .r'radja'cents to fiche-annular opening "M 2 of the "flange l H sai'd opening .being effective to z.guide-=-the Jfluid :iII-to the basket as'sho'wn.

Although the eon'oluitifl Till-is generally =ofa=circular formation, the "conduit 131;] is elongated "to define a flattened tube (see Fig. 3-) to provide a soft, waterfall-like :flbw ot the water into the basket B.

The important relative disposition and arrangeme'nt "of the iparts is eifective to provide an aerated soft flow-obthe water into :the tub. This is accomplished by the operationofrpassi-ng the great bulkof -the water from the pipe tfit through theaperture 3 69-of the screen- 368without restriction, this :fiuid-will :strike :the bottom of the conduitii'H-as a-t-31'3 andbecause -the cap 367 and the conduit 31-0 are of larger diameter than the flow of 'water,=air will -be -suoked.into the captli'l and the conduitdlfl as shownby the arrows in Fig. 4, and will he-mixedwith :the water thereby to .provide aeration of the water before its. passage into the "conduit -31! :and resulting in a soft splash free fiowrof the-water into the basket B. -It-is :important to note that the stream of water is :sodirected :as to splash upon portions of theagitator vanes =(Fig. 2') during certain operations -thereby causing the water-to be sprayed about the tub 'somewhatzlike throwing a stream of water into an-air-fan. Moreover, the disposition of the pipe 365 in spaced-relationship with respect to the cap-381-further provides an anti-siphoning arrangement. whichl-isrinconformity with therequiremen-ts of building. codes in force in many communities.

The temperature mix-ingivalve will notice shown and describedin detail forthe reasonthat any conventional type of=valve may ibe employed. Any

one --of a plurality-of desired temperatures of water may be employed in the-apparatus ranging from warm to hot-deper-iding uponthe setting by the operator of thecontrolswitch w (Fig. 1") mounted on the'control panel '24 which-is effective to condition the control means for controlling the proper setting-"of thermixingyal-ve. "Prefer- -ably,'the mixing valve should be provided with means for flow control to .-1imit-2 and /3 'ga1lons of water per minute-regardless -'of-- city-.main? pressure ranging-betWeen -ZO rand pounds. This is important-because no:floats orwother means of this character are employed to regulate the amount of Waterin =-the:basket =-B,=theinvention providing --means associated. with the sequential control -M operable-to:selectivelyilimit:the amount of water in the tub= B as desired- -by the operator depending 'upon and withconsideration-given to the soil and-condition of theiabrics-to bercleansed.

Means associated with-thersequential 'control M are operable to selectively limit the: amountioi Watenin the tub =B -as=desired by-the operator depending upon-andwithconsideratiomgiven: to. the soiland condition of' thetfabries to be cleansed. Gther-wise stated, thetsequentiaL-control-provides an adjustable time. for filling the 'basket B with water. This being accomplished by the aforementioned means associated with the sequential control M and this means being effective in its timed cycle because, as was hereinbefore stated, the mixing valve means has a flow control to lhnit the water output of the valve to 2 and gallons of water .per minute regardless of water input from city main sources of supply so long as the pressures in these mains are between 20 pounds and 100 pounds.

Another important feature contemplated by the invention is the provision of an overflow rinse fill, that is to say, in rinsing operations rinse water is supplied. to the tub B through the water inlet means E5 to an extent that the water will overflow from the tub B to be discharged therefrom in a continuous stream through the apertures H8 defined by the corrugated-like shape of the flange H8. The overflow rinse provides the obvious advantages in that scum and other foreign material floating on the top of the surface of the water will be carried upwardly in the basket and be discharged therefrom as described hereinbefore.

Because difierent temperatures of water are required for the rinse cycle and the wash cycle and also because different time elements are involved, it is necessary to provide the control switch 30. This switch, when the timer is positioned for a rinse fill, will set the control associated with the mixing valve to provide only mixed water. When the aforementioned timer is set for the wash fill cycle, the circuit is such that the operator may select, by means of the control switch 30 disposed on the control panel 24, whether mixed or hot water is desired for this particular cycle. Otherwise stated, the wash fill provides a selection by the operator between mixed water or hot water but the rinse fill circuit will neutralize the efiect of the control switch 30 and merely provide a ixed water fill regardless of the setting of the control switch 30.

Thus, it will be seen that the mixing valve may be manually directed to supply water of varying temperature ranges to the basket B for performing the various cleansing operations depending upon the nature of the clothing or other articles to be Washed or rinsed. When the control switch 30 is manually adjusted to the position indicated for hot water, it will be understood that hot water alone will be supplied to the basket 8. However, when it is desired to provide water of medium temperature, both hot and cold water will be furnished to the basket B. Of course, as was hereinbefore stated, the selection by the operator is only effective during the wash fill cycles, the ac-. tion or" the water control switch being efiective to control the circuit so that only mixed Water is supplied to the basket B in the rinsing cycles. The control switch 36 is only intended to provide a selected manual adjustment of the water tem-. peratures supplied to the tub of the automatic washing machine under conditions hereinbefore described. The actual opening and closing of the valves for admitting the water at the proper time in the cycle of operation or shutting off the same is controlled by the sequential control unit M.

Particular attention is invited to Fig. 4 wherein the water supplying means l5 with which the invention is particularly concerned is shown in an enlarged section to more clearly illustrate the relative disposition of the parts. It can be seen that the water supply pipe 365 is supported within the confines of the control panel 24 by virtue of a bracket 400 so that the end 40I of the water supply pipe 365 is in spaced relationship with respect to the cap 361. This is important in that the relationship of these elements provide a gap facilitating an antisiphoning arrangement which is in conformity with the requirements of building codes in force in many communities.

It is notable that the cap 381 is screw threaded into the conduit 310 whereby the arrangement will clamp base portions 402 of the support bracket 400 and a seal 403 all to the cabinet top 20 of the washing machine for supporting arrangement thereof. Moreover, there is provided a seal 405 adaptedto be received into an aperture 406 disposed in the side wall of the outer tub 95.

The water supplying means l5 may be easily and conveniently disassembled by first unscrewing the cap 367 and removing the same from its normal position as shown through the rear opening 408 of the control panel 24 whereupon the tubular conduit 310 which has attached thereto the fluid conduit 31! may be removed from the cabinet through the opening 4 I 0 at the rear of the cabinet. The unit may be assembled by reversing the orderof operation as hereinbefore described.

The complete operation of the automatic washing machine representing the illustrated embodiment of the invention and described herein in detail may be briefly summarized as follows:

Clothes or other articles to be laundered are inserted into the basket B of the automatic washing machine through the hinged lid 25 of the cabinet A and a small amount of soap or other suitable detergent is then sprinkled on the top of the clothes or articlesto be laundered. The water temperature control switch 30 is now set for the desired water temperature at which the clothes or other articles are to be laundered. The timer control knob 33 is pulled outwardly and moved in its horizontal linear path to the extreme lefthand position (Fig. 1) and when the control knob 33 is pushed inwardly it will set the timing mechanism in motion to perform the various sequential operations of the washing cycle.

As was hereinbefore stated, the instant washing machine has an adjustable fill from one to six minutes, and since the water valve (not shown) is set to provide 2 and gallons of water per minute regardless of city main pressures, the amount of water disposed into the tub is controlled by time as distinguished from conventional prior art float mechanisms. It has been found practical for all intentions herein contained to have a fill period of approximately four minutes under average conditions. Accordingly, if the timer control knob 33 is set at 0, the mechanism will become operative to permit filling of the basket B for a period of four minutes and as the timer control knob passes through this four minute cycle, the electrical contacts (not shown) in the timer will be actuated by the engagement of a suitable linear profile to shut off the water supply and simultaneously therewith start the washing phase of the cycle. The motor will be set in a direction of rotation to cause the agitator to oscillate to perform its washing function upon the clothes and/or other articles being laundered.

For all practical intents and purposes herein contained and based upon experience as to the length of time desirable for the washing phase of the cycle, it has been found that a ten minute period is most practical under average conditions.

It is notable that if the timer control knob 33--is set at the position (Fig.- 1) and left undisturbed, there will be a fourminute fill period followed by a ten minute wash period inwhich the agitator performs its oscillating motion. However, it is important to understand that, in certain instances, it may be desirable to vary the wash period. This may advantageously be accomplished by setting the timer control knob 33 at 0 (Fig. 1) and permitting this control knob to pass through the four minute fill period, whereupon the knob may be pulled outwardly and reset at any point between numberse and 14 and pushed inwardly whereupon the timer willcontinue from that point to complete the-washing cycle. The apparatus is thereafter adapted to-operate without further attention, all of the remainingoperati'ons taking place automatically and proceeding to the completion of the last drying operation.

After thewash period has been completed the electrical contacts of the sequential control, by virtue of the linear profile, will be set to provide a thirty second pause permitting the motor to completely stop and be set for reverse operation to accomplish water extraction operations-in the manner hereinbefore described. When the timer control knob 33 has passed through this thirty second pause, the electrical contacts will be set to cause rotation of the basket B for water extracting operations. In this operation, the rotation of the combination washing tub and water extracting basket B at extremely high speeds during the extraction operation will cause centrifugal forces to move the mass of water outwardly from the geometrical center of rotation and, by virtue of the inclined upstanding annular Wall Hi5 of the combination washing tube and water extracting backet B, the water will tend to flow upwardly through the passage defined by the oblique wall I f5 and theadjacent portion of the wall I05 and thereafter; through the apertures H8 formed by the corrugated-like formations on the annular flange H6, whereupon the water will be discharged into the confines of the outer tub 95 for disposal. It isimportant to understand that this centrifuge action of the basket B will empty. the water disposed therein in a matter of a few seconds thus presenting a substantial saving of time in the wash cycle and yet performing a better job than prior art models employing time consuming pumping operations and the like.

Since the construction andoperation of the centrifuge B facilitates a relatively fastdumping of the detergent fluid in'the extracting operation-s, this extracting and dumping operation being accomplished in a matter of a few seconds, and because of this, it is obvious that the drain 200- to a pump (not shown) would not be of sufficient capacity to dispose of such a quantity of water as rapidly as it is being dumped, therefore, it is necessary for the dumped water to accumulate in the outer tub 95 in the area below the centrifuge until the pump can dispose of same in its normal pumping operation. It is recalled that the motor will operatein two. directions. of rotation, that is to say, in one direction when it is desired that the agitator be operated and in another directon when it isdesired that the extracting operations be performed. Thus, by virtue of the pump drive arrangement it can be seen that the pump will operate in both directions of rotation and at all times when the motor is in operation.

Attention is again referred to Fig. I and" it is notable that the timer mechanism, for purposes of this description of operationoi the washing machine, has now moved to the extract spin position and will continue for one minute to perform the Water extraction spin operation as hereinbefore described and after the timer has passed through this minute period: the electrical contacts will be set in a manner to provide a thirty second spin rinse of warm water. This spin rinse is effective to remove extraneous scum and other detergent fluid remaining in the basket B after the first'water extraction spin operation has: been completed.

After the timer has passed through the afore-- mentioned thirty second spin rinse, the electrical contacts thereof will be set. to shut off the current supply to the motor thereby to stop the spinning of the basket B but, the electrical contacts are now set tdpermit a three and onehalf minute fill period, in which period the basket is again supplied with warm rinse water.

After the timer has passed through this three and one-half minute fill period, the electrical contacts thereof will be set so as to cause reverse rotation of the motor thereby to provide an agitator drive and since the contacts are set for continuous: supply of water to the basketB there is provided a four minute agitatedoverfiow rinse. which has been found particularly 'desirableto advantageously clear the clothes and the basket B of all scum, sediment and'detergen-t fluid. It is obvious that if thewater supply is contirmous as hereinbefore suggested-that the waterwill fill the basket B and thereafter overflow through the apertures i l fl'and'into the outer 'tubltifor disposal by the pump as hereinbefore'described.

A one minute agitated rinse period without overflow is provided, this being accomplished by positioning of the electrical contacts soas to cause the water to be shut oft at the mixing valve. After the one minute agitated rinse without overflow there is provided a thirty second pause in order to permit the motor to be stopped and the controls to be set for reverse operation-of the motor for the purpose of water extraction operations to follow. After a one minute Water extraction spin operation there is provided av one-half minute spin rinse followed by a six minute water extraction period, making a total washing cycle of thirty-two and one-half minutes.

The instant water supplying means. I-5 being formed of simple parts and readily available materials lends itself to mass production manufacturing principles, thus affording a substantial saving in the manufacturing costs.

From the foregoing disclosure, it may be observed that we have provided an improved water supplying system for an automatic clothes washing machine which efiiciently fulfills the objects thereof as hereinbefore stated and which provides numerous advantages which may be summarized as follows:

1. structurally simple, efficient and durable;

2. Economical to manufacture and readily adaptable to mass production manufacturing principles; and

3. The provision of. an improved water supplying system particularly characterized in being effective to provide an aerated waterfall-like flow of the water into the tub of an automatic clothes washing machine.

While we have illustrated preferred embodiments of our invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of our invention, and we do not wish tobe limited to the precise details of construction set forth but wish to avail ourselves of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. For a washing machine having a cabinet, a rotatable tub in said cabinet, driving mechanism for said tub, an electrical circuit, and a timer mechanism disposed in said circuit and arranged to effect control of the sequential operations of said washing machine: fluid inlet means including an electrically actuated valve operable responsive to the operation of said timing mechanism, said fluid inlet means comprising a fluid pipe and means defining a cup-like shape disposed in spaced relationship to the end portions of said fluid pipe and adapted to receive the fluid flowing therefrom, said last-mentioned means including a, cup-shaped screen, the apex of which extends downwardly and provides an aperture through which the fluid may flow, said last-mentioned means also including a conduit opening into said rotatable tub and defining a generally flattened elongated tubular shape so that the water flowing therefrom will define a generally waterfall action into saidtub, said screen-like element when receiving fluid from said fluid pipe being adapted to suck in air with the fluid thereby to aerate the same before passage of the fluid into said fluid conduit for deposit in the tub.

2. For a washing machine having a cabinet, a rotatable tub in said cabinet, driving mechanism for said tub, an electrical circuit, and a timer mechanism disposed in said circuit and arranged to effect control of the sequential operations of said washing machine: fluid inlet means comprising a fluid pipe and conduit means defining a cup-like shape disposed in spaced relationship to the end portions of said fluid pipe and adapted to receive the fluid flowing therefrom, said last-mentioned means including a cup-shaped screen, the apex of which extends downwardly and provides an aperture through which the fluid may flow, said last-mentioned means also including a conduit opening into said rotatable tub and defining a generally flattened elongated tubular shape.

3. A washing machine having a cabinet, a rotatable tub in said cabinet, driving mechanism for said tub, an electrical circuit for said washing machine, and a timer mechanism disposed in said circuit and arranged to effect control of the sequential operations of said washing machine, in combination with fluid inlet means including an electrically actuated valve operable responsive to the operation of said timing mechanism, said fluid inlet means comprising a fluid pipe and means defining a cup-like shape disposed in spaced relationship to the end portions of said fluid pipe and adapted to receive the fluid flowing therefrom, said last-mentioned means including a cup-shaped wire-like screen, the apex of which extends downwardly and provides an aperture through which the fluid may flow, said last-mentioned means also including a conduit carried by said cabinet and opening into said rotatable tub and defining a generally flattened elongated tubular shape so that the water flowing therefrom will define a generally waterfall action into said tub, said screen-like element when receiving fluid from said fluid pipe being adapted to suck in air with the fluid thereby to aerate the same before passage of the fluid into said fluid conduit for deposit in the tub.

4. Inlet means for a fluid comprising a pipe and conduit means defining a cup-like shape disposed in spaced relationship to the end portions of said pipe and adapted to receive the fluid flowing therefrom, said last-mentioned means including a cup-shaped wire-like screen, the apex of which extends downwardly and provides an aperture through which the fluid may flow, said last-mentioned means also including a conduit defining a generally flattened elongated tubular shape so that the fluid flowing therefrom will define a generally waterfall action, said screcnlike element when receiving fluid from said fluid pipe being adapted to suck in air with the fluid thereby to aerate the same before passage of the fluid into said last-mentioned conduit.

5. A water supplying system comprising a pipe connected to a source of water supply, conduit means defining a cup-like shape disposed in spaced relationship to the end portions of said pipe and adapted to receive the water flowing therefrom, a cup-shaped Wire-like screen disposed in said cup-like shaped means and the apex of which extends downwardly and having an aperture through which the fluid may flow. and a conduit defining a generally flattened elongated tubular shape so that the water flowing therefrom will define a generally waterfall action.

6. In a water supplying system comprising a pipe connected to a source of water supply, and conduit means defining a cup-like shape disposed in spaced relationship to the end portions of said pipe and adapted to receive the water flowing therefrom, a cup-shaped wire-like screen disposed in said cup-like shaped means and the apex of which extends downwardly and having an aperture through which the fluid may flow, and said system having a conduit opening from said cup-like shaped conduit means and defining a generally flattened elongated tubular shape so that the water flowing therefrom will define a generally waterfall action.

7. In a water supplying system comprising a pipe connected to a source of water supply, conduit means defining a cup-like shape disposed in spaced relationship to the end portions of said pipe and adapted to receive the water flowing therefrom, and a conduit in open communication with said cup-like shaped conduit means and defining a generally flattened elongated tubular shape so that the water flowing therefrom will define a generally waterfall section, a cup-shaped wire-like screen disposed in said cup-like shaped means and the apex of which extends downwardly and having an aperture through which the fluid may flow, and said screen when receiving water from said pipe being arranged to suck in air with the water to aerate the same before passage of the water into the flattened elongated conduit.

8. The combination with a washing machine of the character described, of a water supplying system comprising a pipe connected to asource of water supply, conduit means defining a cup-like shape disposed in spaced relationship to the end portions of said pipe and adapted to receive the water flowing therefrom, a cup-shaped wire-like screen disposed in said cup-like shaped means and the apex of which extends downwardly and having an aperture through which the fluid may flow, and a conduit in open communication with said cup-like conduit means and defining a generally flattened elongated tubular shape so that the water flowing therefrom will define a generally waterfall action.

9. For a water supplying system comprising a pipe connected to a source of water supply, conduit means defining a cup-like shape disposed in spaced relationship to the end portions of said pipe and adapted to receive the water flowing therefrom, and a conduit in open communication with said cup-like shaped conduit means and defining a generally flattened elongated tubular shape so that the water fiowing therefrom will define a generally waterfall section, those improvements comprising a cup-shaped wire-like screen disposed in said cup-like shaped means and the apex of which extends downwardly and having an aperture through which the fluid may fiow, and said screen when receiving water from said pipe being arranged to suck in air with the water to aerate the same before passage of the water into the flattened elongated conduit.

10. The combination with a washing machine of the character described, of a water supplying system comprising a pipe connected to a source of water supply, conduit means defining a cuplike shape disposed in spaced relationship to the end portions of said pipe and adapted to receive the water fiowing therefrom, a conduit in open communication with said cup-like shaped conduit means and defining a generally flattened elongated tubular shape so that the water flowing therefrom will define a generally waterfall section, and a cup-shaped wire-like screen disposed in said oup-lfle shaped means and the apex of which extends downwardly and having an aperture through which the fiuid may flow, and said screen when receiving water from said pipe being arranged to suck in air with the water to aerate the same before passage of the water into the flattened elongated conduit.

11. In a water supplying system having a pipe connected to a source of water supply, the combination with conduit means defining a cup-like shape disposed in spaced relationship to the end portions of said pipe and adapted to receive the id water flowing therefrom, and a conduit in open communication with said cup-like shaped conduit means and defining a generally flattened elongated tubular shape so that the water flowing therefrom will define a generally waterfall section, of a cup-shaped wire-like screen disposed in said cup-like shaped means and the apex of which extends downwardly and having an aperture through which the fluid may fiow, and said screen when receiving water from said pipe being arranged to suck in ai with the water to aerate the same before passage of the water into the flattened elongated conduit.

1 A water supplyin system for a washing machine comprisin a pipe connected to a source of water supply, conduit means defining a cuplike shape disposed in spaced relationship to the end portions of said pipe and adapted to receive the water fiowing therefrom, a conduit in open communication with said cup-line shaped conduit means and defining a generally flattened elongated tubular shape so that the water flowing therefrom will define a generally waterfall section, and a cup-shaped wire-like screen disposed in said cup-like shaped means and the apex of which extends downwardly and having an aperture through which the fluid may fiow, said screen when receivin water from said pipe being arranged to suck in air with the water to aerate the same before passage of the water into the flattened elongated conduit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,526,12'9 Parr et al Feb. 10, 1925 2,230,345 Bradbury Feb. 4, 1941 ,295,263 Breckenridge Sept. 22, 1942 2,313,984 Breckenridge et a1. Mar. 16, 1943 2,498,179 Oliver et al. Feb. 21, 1950 2,562,211 Dyer Mar. 28, 1950 

